It could have been one of many different cartoons for me, but my first memory of watching cartoons in the very early 80's has to be something like Looney Toon's or something by Hanna-Barbera, maybe even a Tom & Jerry short. I don't really remember what was the first one I ever watched but the first one to leave a huge impression on me was He-Man & The Masters of the Universe!
It was probably anime, since I was living in Japan for the most of my childhood. Maybe Doraemon, or Dragon Ball Z (it was still airing in Japan at the time).
It may have also been Japanese-dubbed "Charlie Brown" specials or Disney shorts. I remember them airing alot down there.
There's no possible way anyone knows this answer. Kids don't start watching cartoons when they're 4. They start before they are even 1. So, obviously no one is gonna remember what they were watching at 1. A better question would be, "what do you REMEMBER as the first cartoon you saw?"
I have absolutly no idea but I do remember being excited for some Mickey's Christmas Carol ortaments we got around the time of my third birthday. So I am going to say Mickey's Christmas Carol is the first cartoon I remember seeing.
I have no idea, but i do know the first cartoon i saw in the movie theater-lion king! i don't remember, but my sister has the ticket stubs, i was two, i wish i knew what was my first cartoon, probably care bears or american tail or a pbs cartoon.
Oh, wow, I have no idea. We're talking the very early 80s that I would've started. The earliest I remember actually watching, though, was either He-Man or She-Ra. Rainbow Brite might've been the first, but I have no way of knowing.